﻿GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 79 



nearly equal acute glumes (Fig. 1), three-ribbed, the dorsal rib tooth- 

 ed on the upper half. Florets of two palese (Fig. 2) ; the outer pa- 

 lea of lowermost floret five-ribbed (Fig. 4) ; the lower half of the dor- 

 sal and two marginal ribs hairy ; the intermediate ribs without hairs ; 

 the base of the floret furnished with a silky web suspending the calyx. 

 Inner palea a little shorter than the outer palea, furnished with two 

 green marginal ribs, delicately fringed. The whole plant is of a light 

 green. 



anyuslifolia, a frequent variety, with the panicle erect » 



the leaves long and narrow ; the first joint near the panicle ; the spike- 

 lets small, of two florets ; and the li gules scarcely perceptible. (Plate 

 XXXVI). 



Obs. — Poa nemoralis is distinguished from Poa trivialis in the up- 

 per sheath not being longer than its leaf ; ligule very short and ob- 

 tuse, and the outer palea with the marginal ribs hairy ; — whereas in 

 P. trivialis the upper sheath is much longer than its leaf, ligule long 

 and pointed, and the marginal ribs of the outer palea not hairy. (See 

 Plate XXXV). 



From Poa pratensis, in the upper sheath not being longer than its leaf, 

 with the ligule very short ; — whereas in P. pratensis the upper sheath is 

 much longer than its leaf, and the ligule prominent. (See Plate 

 XXXI.) 



From Poa montana, in the florets being webbed ; ligule very short ; 

 second sheath not extending to the first joint ; — whereas in P. mon- 

 tana the florets are not webbed ; ligule prominent, and the second 

 sheath extends beyond the first joint. (See Plate XXXIX). 



From Poa polynoda in the florets being webbed ; ligule very short, 

 scarcely perceptible ; stem but slightly compressed ; — whereas in P. 

 polynoda the florets are not webbed ; ligule rather prominent ; stem 

 very much compressed. (See Plate XXXIX). 



Poa nemoralis ranks amongst the superior permanent pasture gras- 

 ses, producing a considerable deal of fine succulent and nutritive herbage, 

 which horses, cows, and sheep are remarkably fond of. It will grow 

 freely in exposed situations, but in its natural state is found only in 

 shady places or woods of rich soil. 



This is by no means a frequent grass throughout Scotland, although 



